Wine With Wanda

Wine's Wild West: My "Food & WIne" Feature About Paso Robles, California

People are often surprised when I tell them that I've  been writing for more than a decade. What a journey it's been, and I continue to learn more every day. Since I was a little girl, I've loved writing and never imagined that wine would be a source of endless inspiration. In addition to the sheer beauty of wine, the people and places move me. Getting to share those stories with others is a blessing. 



I'm thrilled that my story Wine's Wild West appears in the April 2022 issue of Food & Wine magazine (page 65). It explores the wine scene in Paso Robles, California, and includes info on restaurants and hotel accommodations. Featured wineries include Booker Estate, L'Aventure, Tablas Creek, Thacher Winery & Vineyard, and others. The wine travel club, The Vines, is also highlighted. 

Also, on page 20, you'll find my short piece Cool It: How Wine Pros Store Their Wine at Home. Cheers! 

Great Gifts for Globetrotters

Are you still not sure how to spoil your favorite traveler (or yourself) this holiday season? From space-saving luggage to a sleek black leather jacket, here are a few suggestions that are sure to please the pickiest of jetsetters!

Biaggi Foldable Luggage
Living in a not-so-big Manhattan apartment, storage space is very precious to me. My current bulky luggage takes up way too much space so I'm hoping Santa brings me one of these brilliant folding bags from Biaggi. Available in a variety of colors, sizes, and styles; Biaggi "travels big and stores small." Suggested retail prices range from $79 for a fashion tote to $339 for a 30” ballistic nylon packing case.


"Londra" Tote by Patricia Nash
$198
A great tote is a must whether you are commuting to work or crossing the globe. The Londra tote was inspired by Patricia Nash's passion for travel and visiting with purveyors of timeless handbags. Made from rich Italian leather, her utterly modern bags celebrate Old World craftsmanship such as hand-dying and hand-sewing. The Londra Tote is also available in natural buff with black. Celebrity fans of Patricia Nash bags include January Jones, Garcelle Beauvais, and Giuliana Rancic.

Luxury Beauty Products from b-glowing.com
Second only to my passport and money, lotions and potions are a must when I hit the road. b-glowing.com is a luxury online retailer that showcases hard-to-find niche brands and well-known products. Chapped lips aren't cute anywhere, so gift your favorite traveler with the Sara Happ Red Velvet Lip Scrub & Lip Slip ($40). A gorgeous pucker is guaranteed with this deliciously scented duo that works together to exfoliate and moisturize.

Wallis Black Leather Biker Jacket
$185 (was $270)
Add a sleek edge to any outfit with this chic black leather biker jacket. The snakeprint pattern and gold metal zips and trims will really rev up your look. Wallis first opened in London in 1932 and now their fashions are available online in the US for sizes 4-16 and petites. They have great dresses and accessories too!

AFAR Magazine
$20 for six issue subscription
A great gift doesn't have to cost a fortune. Spark some serious wanderlust with a subscription to the wonderful AFAR Magazine. This is absolutely one of my favorite publications - I do a little happy dance when I spot AFAR in my mailbox. Wonderful writing, gorgeous photos, new takes on familiar locations, and captivating coverage of off-the-beaten path locales, AFAR is something special.

Barcelona, Beyond Beautiful: My Article in 25A Magazine

Panoramic view of Barcelona from Mt. Tibidabo
image courtesy Turisme de Barcelona

Yours truly was invited to contribute an article to 25A Magazine about one of my favorite places in the world - Barcelona, Spain. If you're planning a trip to this magnificent city, take a moment to read my piece, Barcelona: Beyond Beautiful, for some great tips on luxury accomodations, fine dining, architectural highlights, museums, and more. If you live on Long Island's Gold Coast, look for your free copy of 25A at area businesses.

Checking Out and Keeping Up with JONES Magazine

Even for a new media devotee like me, one of the greatest pleasures of travel is filling my bag with carefully curated reading material that I can read without interruption on the airplane. No gadget in the world can replace the tactile thrill of flipping through the pages of a magazine or book. JONES is one of the newest publications on the scene but it has already earned a coveted space in my carry-on bag.

A sleek and sexy multicultural magazine, JONES launched  in 2005 in Houston as a regional publication and it expanded nationally several months ago. Model Sessilee Lopez graces the cover of the 2010 fall fashion issue and is the gorgeous gateway to the glam inside. Some of my favorite features include Fall Bag Must Haves, the Hip Trips travel feature, an international Shopping Blitz with the one and only Iman, and a colorful display of faux fur.

I've had a chance to meet some of the masterminds behind the masthead, including the Jones editor-in-chief  -  the lovely Tracey M. Ferguson and their social editor - the force of nature that is Bryce Hairston Kennard. (You may have seen these style gurus on their reality show Keeping Up With the Joneses) Fabulous without the attitude, JONES both informs and inspires. Grab a copy and spend some quality time with the joneses!

PS. JONES also has a great website. Visit and enter their Fall Fashion Sweepstakes.